‘Barbarella’ Charts A Course For TV

The classic French sci-fi comic turned cult movie may find new life as a television series.

Back in 1968, director Roger Vadim's Barbarella film with Jane Fonda in the title role earned a cult following thanks to its erotic themes mixed with a humorous sci-fi story. After several attempts to reboot Barbarella for the big screen, the character may soon be reborn on television.

Gaumont International Television is actively producing a TV incarnation of "Barbarella" alongside Martha De Laurentiis; whose late husband Dino De Laurentiis produced the Barbarella film. Drive director Nicolas Refn has also come on board to executive produce the potential "Barbarella" series and helm the pilot episode. "Barbarella" was originally created by French artist and writer, Jean-Claude Forest in 1962 and published in the pages of V-Magazine. "Barbarella" was later released as a standalone book and it became one of the most famous examples of early "adult comics."

“We are thrilled to have secured the rights from the Forest estate and are thrilled to be pairing the bold visceral style of Nicolas Refn with the pop culture icon Barbarella," said Gaumont CEO Katie O’Connell.

Gaumont has already managed to bring Hannibal Lecter to TV with the upcoming "Hannibal" series on NBC by Bryan Fuller; which recently cast Mads Mikkelsen in the title role. Gaumont is also producing the Netflix original series, "Hemlock Grove;" which is slated to star Famke Janssen and Bill Skarsgard.

Who should play Barbarella on TV? Let us know in the comment section below!